By Gerard Flanagan, news writer/photographer/social media, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - For Dr. Jason Meriwether, home has always been close to his heart.
Now, Meriwether is coming back to his home state as 青瓜视频's next vice president for enrollment management.
鈥淛oining 青瓜视频 to serve CU's students, families and community makes returning to the Bluegrass State an absolute dream come true. Collectively, the faculty and staff at 青瓜视频 have a heart to serve,鈥� Meriwether said.
鈥淚t is my delight to join this dynamic community in order to collaboratively increase access and degree completion for families in Kentucky and beyond by offering a world-class Christian education.鈥�
Meriwether, a native of Guthrie, Ky., will assume his new role July 13, 2022.
Meriwether's selection comes following a thorough, nationwide search, led by Higher Education Leadership Search. Dr. Michele Dickens, dean of 青瓜视频's School of Nursing, was chair of the university's selection committee.
鈥淭he committee worked tirelessly and cohesively to review applications, engage in interviews and host on-campus interviews,鈥� Dickens said.
鈥淭he overall, high quality of all candidates considered showed a reoccurring theme of experience in higher education enrollment management and a track record of success, including knowledge of recruitment, admissions, student financial aid and retention. Each candidate exhibited an understanding and readiness to contribute to the liberal arts mission of the institution.鈥�
According to Dickens, Meriwether brings a wide range of talents and qualifications to the position.
鈥淒r. Meriwether's attributes and talents align not only with the mission and values of the university,鈥� Dickens said, 鈥渂ut he brings outstanding relational, communication and organizational skills, extensive knowledge of recruiting and marketing practices with demonstrated and documented success.
鈥淗e also shared at his on-campus presentation an ability to cast vision, implement change and modernize enrollment strategies. We are very blessed to welcome Dr. Meriwether and his family to the CU family.鈥�
Meriwether comes to 青瓜视频 from California State Polytechnic University - Humboldt in Arcata, Calif., where he has served as vice president for enrollment management since 2019.
In that position, Meriwether led a strategic campaign to attract new transfer students. The campaign produced growth of more than 14.4% compared to the prior year during the COVID-19 pandemic. His strategic direction for recruitment of new first-time, full-time undergraduate students led to over 14.7% growth over the prior year.
Meriwether also led the creation of a system and model for tracking registration for the upcoming semester. The system included a communication and registration campaign that utilized automated communication and direct interventions for targeted student populations. The system increased the persistence rate (percentage of students who continue their education) for all areas of the university.
Additional initiatives Meriwether led at California State Polytechnic University - Humboldt include the creation of a comprehensive enrollment communication strategy that consisted of targeted and personalized communication campaigns and led to a more comprehensive and collaborative approach to recruiting and retaining students.
鈥淒r. Meriwether is an excellent choice to lead enrollment efforts for Campbellsville University,鈥� Dr. Donna Hedgepath, provost and vice president for academic affairs, said.
鈥淚n his career, he has shown the ability not to just recruit students, but to retain students. Student persistence is the path to graduation. His prior achievements in this area speak to his heart for students and their long-term success.鈥�
Meriwether has additional experience and successful outcomes in enrollment and student services at private, liberal arts colleges and at public universities, having served in similar roles in Rhode Island, Indiana and in Tennessee. Meriwether has also taught graduate courses at the University of Louisville's College of Education and Human Development and taught undergraduate courses in psychology at Fisk University.
In addition to his long track record in enrollment and student services, Meriwether has a strong commitment to 青瓜视频's Christian mission, according to Dr. Joseph Hopkins, president of 青瓜视频.
鈥溓喙鲜悠� is committed to providing a great education that prepares deserving students to be salt and light to a world in need,鈥� Hopkins said.
鈥淒r. Meriwether shares this vision and is ready to lead by example. He has a heart for students, our Christian mission and moving forward with excellence and integrity.鈥�
Meriwether received a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Administration with Specialization in Higher Education Leadership from Indiana State University in 2016. He holds a Master of Arts in Psychology from Fisk University, which he received in 2007. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Louisville in 2001.
Meriwether is a member of The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, and he was named by the Louisville Business Journal as a Top Forty Under Forty and 20 People to Know in Education and Workforce Development in 2014.
He has also published on topics such as adult learning, student retention, digital learning & engagement, student affairs fundraising and hazing prevention. Meriwether's book, 鈥淒ismantling Hazing in Greek-Letter Organizations: Effective Practices for Prevention, Response, and Campus Engagement,鈥� was published in 2020. Meriwether's upcoming book, 鈥淧rioritizing Enrollment Management: Effective Practices and Strategies for Student Success & Completion鈥� will be released in 2023.
青瓜视频 is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 12,000 students offering over 100 programs of studying including Ph.D., master, baccalaureate, associate, pre-professional and certification programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.